“Jingle Bells, Batman smells
Robin flew away
The Batmobile lost it’s wheels
all on Christmas day”
What is the origin of this generation-bridging, culture-spanning, time-defying Yuletide classic? I’ve sung it every Christmas since my nonage, and now my kids and their friends seem to have picked it up from somewhere.
Is there a definitve set of lyrics for it? If not, what sort of regional variations are the on it. It’d be cool to know.
mm
I learned it as
Jingle Bells
Batman smells
Robin laid an egg
The Batmobile lost a wheel
And the Joker got away, hey!
An alternative last line was “And the Joker did ballet” which is even sillier.
Jingle bells, Batman smells
Robin laid an egg
The Batmobile, lost a wheel
And the Joker got away… hey!
Well I always heard it as
Jingle Bells, Batman smells
Robin laid and egg
Batmobile lost it’s wheel
and Joker got away.
Although my kids sing the alst line as
and Joker took ballet
Can I take this beyond the Batman theme and share my childhood favorite:
Jingle Bells, Shotgun Shells
BBs in the air,
Take a shot at Santa Claus
And Listen to him Swear.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Santa Claus is dead.
Rudolph took a .44
and shot him in the head.
Barbie Doll, Barbie Doll,
tried to save his life.
GI Joe, GI Joe
stuck her with a knife.
Jingle Bells, Batman smells
Half a mile away.
Never heard it past there when I was a kid.
Now that’s a heck of a triple-simulpost.
That was some simulpost!
I’ve always heard the “Robin laid an egg,” “a wheel,” “Joker got away” version. The ballet line is pretty funny, though.
My guess is that there’s no definative version, it’s an American school yard classic that will defy any real author.
We used to sing this ditty back in the days of the Batman TV series in the '60s. I was never too clear on the last line–I remember it as “And Commissioner broke his leg.”
I’ve got to say I completely disagree with Yumblie and Odinoneeye. I’ve never heard those versions.
When I ws a kid in the 70’s we sang both the Joker got away version and Alfred saved the day version.
Jingle bells,
Mermaid Man smells,
Barnacle Boy laid an egg,
Invisible Boatmobile lost a wheel,
and Manray got away!"
Yes, I do have a six-year-old, since you asked.
I’ve often wondered what unsung genius is the originator of those schoolyard parodies. I can remember a version of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” which must have contained upwards of a billion different verses.
*Mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school.
we have tortured every teacher, we have broken every rule.
We have drowned the principal in the school swimming pool,
Our truth is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah,
teacher hit me with a ruler.
Met her at the door
with a loaded 44
and she ain’t my teacher no more.*
The chorus had countless variations.
There was also a version of “Joy to the World.”
*Joy to the world
the school burned down,
and all the teachers too!
We’re looking for the principal,
he’s hanging from the flag pole
with a rope around his neck,
with a rope around his neck,
with a ro-ooo-o-o-o-ope around his neck.*
(there was also a variation with the janitor sliding down the bannister with a broomstick up his nose)
Wow, the ones they posted are the only version I’ve ever heard.
On the Simpsons, that first Christmas special, it’s what Bart sings at the variety show. 
I’ve learned it as
Jingle bells
Batman smells
Robin laid an egg
Batmobile
lost a wheel
and Joker broke a leg
These “regional variation” songs are always so cool. 
[hijack] I have to wonder…nowadays, when kids get in trouble for doodling anything too violent on their notebooks, have schools banned these songs?
I mean, in this post-Columbine era killing teachers is nothing to joke about!!! :eek:
:rolleyes: [/hijack]
And from my playground in England:
Jingle Bells
Batman smells
Joker got away.
Father Christmas
Lost his whiskers
On the motorway.
Hey!
And also
We three kings of Orient are
One in a taxi
One in a car
One on a scooter blowing his hooter
Following yonder star.
Oh… star of wonder
Star of light
Charlie set his pants alight
Still proceeding
Through the ceiling
Guide us to that perfect light.
We had:
We three kings of Orient are
tried to smoke a rubber cigar
it was loaded
and exploded
BOOM
it was a grenade.
We two kings of Orient are
tried to smoke a rubber cigar
it was loaded
and exploded
BOOM
it was a grenade.
I one king of Orient are
tried to smoke a rubber cigar
it was loaded
and exploded
BOOM…